Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 1899-1981

I had been reading Martyn Lloyd Jones books for years, but hadn't really known about his personal life...this book was a fantastic read! The author worked with him personally for 3 years, and knew him well...the book is very informative into the life at various stages of the man himself...admitted flaws and what he strived for in his life. The book was easy to read, and my respect for Martyn Lloyd Jones has been much enhanced by reading this book...the author is able to show the humanity of the man, and every chapter was filled with interesting knowledge of his quest for inspiring others into the faith. I could not have picked a better book to understand who this minister was...well worth the price indeed, and the shipping was fast --- I'm quite sure I will read this book again...no doubt about that!

I came to know about Martyn Llyod-Jones (from here on out, ML-J) from a good friend of mine a few years ago. In 2012, the ML-J Trust released thousands of sermons previously known only to ML-J’ family to the public. I remember on one of the first days of the release, you were only able to download 10 sermons a day. I began to download and listen to ML-J exposit the book of Romans, and was hooked on everything he produced from sermons to books. Ever since then, I have had a great respect for this man, and I picked up Iain Murray’s biography of ML-J to know more about the man whom I had listened to for so long.I really like Iain Murray; I read his biography on John MacArthur last year, and I currently own his biography on Jonathan Edwards (which I am anxious to start). Murray does not simply tell the story of whomever he is writing about, he speaks volumes about their theological convictions in a way only a Christian can articulate. For example, a secular biographer on Jonathan Edwards may write about his life, but he will never understand him in the same way a Christian will: a man who sought to glorify God with all his being. This is how I feel about Murray’s approach to ML-J.I won’t go as far to tell his story, but will rather give some points about ML-J’s life that really made me think. First (and perhaps most important), the condition of England in the 1930’s-1950’s when ML-J was first beginning to preach was similar to the current state of American Evangelicalism. People were leaving the church in droves, secularization was taking over and God was put to the side in favor of atheism, agnosticism and eastern spirituality. Many churches during this time were trying to “win” the favor of the crowds by staging dramas during church, dances, and other events that garnered to popular culture and what we know of as the “seeker sensitive” church. ML-J, when he took over Westminster Chapel in the 1940’s, did not approach church this way. In fact, just the opposite. He believed that church was for the building up of the saints through teaching and that’s exactly what he did. There was no pomp, no fancy lights, no coffee shop, no gimmicks: he simply preached the word of God. And amazingly, he saw the population of the church grow from around 400 in the 1940’s to over 2000 by the 1950’s-60’s. He preached for 45 minutes to an hour, had no jokes in the sermon, sang hymns for worship (there was no worship pastor and if they sang them hollow or did not focus on the words he would scold the congregation), and still attracted thousands that give testament to his style. We Evangelicals should take note of this.Second, there is a movie out now called “Logic on Fire” about ML-J’s life. That phrase speaks to how ML-J approached a sermon; by reason. Much like the Apostle Paul, ML-J can take you systematically through a structured plan that starts at A and ends at D, explaining how he got there through B and C. This is typified particularly when you listen to his sermons (which I highly recommend). Some attribute this to his early medical training where one had to be very thorough and make observations in a logical way.Third, it is amazing to me that a man who has impacted so many had no formal theological training. This is proof that God can use anyone for His purposes.There is probably more that I could say, but I will let you pick up the book. I would say that this is one of the most important books I have ever read, in the ecclesiastical sense anyway because it gives credence to what I have always thought a successful church looks like. ML-J had a desire to glorify God and did so by doing what His word commanded: preach to word. That is all he did and I believe it is that simple for us today. Church is not about having an awesome band, fancy lights, a big building or anything like that. It’s about feeding men and women the raw, unadulterated word of God. I highly recommend this book.

My son requested this as a Christmas gift from another store. I found it was much more and the shipping was ridiculous. I was very happy to find the exact same book for less money and free prime shipping.

If Charles Spurgeon was the preeminent London preacher of the nineteenth century, Martyn Lloyd-Jones was his twentieth-century equivalent. And in both centuries the center of preaching in the English-speaking world was London. Though very different men, both were thoroughly convinced of the necessity of rebirth, the centrality of God's Word and the glory of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.This is a marvelous abridgment by Iain Murray of his own earlier two-volume biography of Lloyd-Jones. The two-volume version is still available and contains much more on the latter portion of Lloyd-Jones's life, including more detail about his courageous stands for truth that alienated many British and American Evangelicals from his more rigorous approach to doctrine and purity. In many ways, the loss of that material makes this an easier and more enjoyable book to read while depriving it of some of its greatest usefulness.Lloyd-Jones was a marvelous preacher, a great Evangelical leader and a towering intellect for Christ. He was also a most disciplined and courageous man. Few figures were more influential in American and British Evangelicalism in the last hundred years. In many respects, Lloyd-Jones is a model of what might have been, but did not come to be in Evangelicalism because of the progressive departure from the authority of God's Word of her leaders. Not Lloyd-Jones: he remained true to the end. Ultimately, when many of the men Lloyd-Jones differed with in approach to evangelism and God's Word are forgotten by history, Lloyd-Jones's memory will be hailed by all who love the Word of God.Iain Murray has done a service to the Church by this biography. Indeed, Mr. Murray has been a blessing to Evangelical Christianity nearly as great, in his own way, as Lloyd-Jones his mentor and friend.

An excellent biography of a giant in the faith. Murray writes a fascinating account in this condensed version that narrates the Doctor’s life and ministry while also teaching readers about the significant theological issues that Lloyd-Jones faced. A fantastic book about a man God used to have a great impact!

Highly recommended. The author is discreet and respectful.The only complaint I have is that the chapter on the “crisis” years is too long and repetitive, which could underscore Mr. Murrayś contention that Lloyd-Jones was wrong about his stance.The crisis had to do with Lloyd-Jones rejection of “ecumenism” and the hard line he took, alone, against it. Mr. Murray writes on page 402, “As we know, the ecumenical “success”, so confidently predicted by its own advocates, never came about. So, some had said, ML-Jś fear was prompted by a delusion”. This is a stunning statement and I wonder if it should not be retracted. I have written to the author, asking his current view, and am still awaiting a response.Otherwise the reading about the life of this truly Godly and Holy man was an exhortation to me to keep searching for Christ and learning more and more about Him.

Une biographie d'un des plus grands prédicateurs du 20e s. (on trouve ses sermons en audio en ligne). Elle est rédigée par celui qui fut l'éditeur de Lloyd-Jones et un admirateur, de sorte qu'on n'a pas la garantie d'une objectivité parfaite (il arrive cependant que l'auteur se distancie d'un choix ou d'un acte de son sujet). Cela reste cependant la biographie principale sur Lloyd-Jones. Ce livre est en fait une version abrégée de la biographie d'origine, et on y trouve pourtant à mon goût trop de détails! Mais il y a là une référence incontournable pour qui s'intéresse à la vie de ce pasteur.

This is a well written, thorough, and highly readable account of a life worth emulating. Thanks for this great book.

The best starting point for anyone wishing to study the remarkable life and ministry of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, I would say.

very good